With the addition of pitcher Gerrit Cole and a full season with former Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, it's not surprising the defending champion Houston Astros are the team to beat in 2018 and No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports' first installment of power rankings.

Nine of the top 10 teams were playoff clubs in 2017. The Milwaukee Brewers, No. 7, aim to disrupt the field with the addition of outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain.

The Miami Marlins, who dumped their entire outfield, including NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton, finished at the bottom of the rankings.

From 1 to 30, how they stack up based on voting from our nine-person panel: